Monday 16 November 2009

Chanonry Point

I visited Chanonry Point on the Black Isle last week during a short trip to Scotland. The main purpose of my visit was to look for the pod of bottlenose dolphins which live in the Moray Firth. I positioned myself on the south-eastern tip of the point with the lighthouse behind me, traditionally the best place to see the dolphins. The conditions were perfect; the Firth was quite calm and the late afternoon light was ideal for photography. Sadly, both time and the absence of an incoming tide were against me and the dolphins didn't make an appearance.

Looking towards Rosemarkie

A pair of long-tailed duck flew up the Firth towards the Kessock Bridge and a lazy common seal surfaced occasionally and glanced about. Gulls and oystercatchers were also feeding at the waters edge.

A passing Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)

Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus)

Great Black-backed gull (Larus marinus)

9 comments:

Stewart said...

Hi Emma, your LBBG looks like a Greater BBG. Lessers are very unlikely in North East Scotland at this time, being summer visitors...

Anonymous said...

That's a shame Emma, because you had some great light. Anyway it was nice scenery.

Alcester nature photography. said...

Really like the pic of the oystercatcher.
Cheers Colin.

Wilma said...

The oyster catcher with the reflection is a beauty.

cheers,
Wilma

ADRIAN said...

Emma a great place to sit and stare with or without Porpoise or Dolphin.
The Oystercatcher alone was worth the trip. Thanks.

Emma Anderson said...

Thanks everyone for your comments. Thanks too to Stewart for pointing out the error in my gull id.

holdingmoments said...

A shame you missed the dolphins Emma, but you still came away with some excellent shots.
Really like that Oystercatcher.

Anonymous said...

Emma, We pass by the Black Isle so often but after seeing your images I think we need to stop and explore. Peter

Emma Anderson said...

Thanks Keith and Peter.